Ferrous Scrap
MetalX founder, former OmniSource CEO Danny Rifkin passes, funeral April 6
Written by Michael Cowden
April 3, 2025
MetalX Founder and CEO Danny Rifkin – born in 1954 – died on April 1, surrounded by family.
“Danny will be remembered for his vision, generosity, and lasting impact – in business, in community, and in the hearts of all who knew him,” the company said in a press release.
A service will be held on Sunday, April 6, at the D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes – Covington Knolls, in Fort Wayne, Ind., according to Rifkin’s obituary.
Rifkin founded scrap recycler MetalX in 2012 with his son Neal. MetalX was acquired in in 2021 by Australia’s BlueScope Steel for $240 million. The move came as steelmakers looked to secure sources of valuable prime scrap.
Rifkin started his career with OmniSource, one of the largest recyclers in the US, where he rose to become president and CEO.
Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) acquired the company in 2007 in a deal valued at more than $1 billion, according to Reuters. The price tag at the time shocked some in the market. It also heralded the rise of EAF steelmakers and the inherent value of recycled materials.
Rifkin was deeply committed not only to the recycling industry but also to his community and to his faith, MetalX said. He founded the Fort Wayne Center for learning, which helped children with learning differences. He was also devoted to the Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne and worked to preserve the memory of the Holocaust.
Michael Cowden
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